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Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 7, 2014 18:00:15 GMT
For some reason, I just LOVE this type of sword. Being a (mostly) JSA person (who studied Medieval English lit in college, btw), I've never really had of a chance to hold or own a type XVIa yet. I have had a Valiant Arms Templar Sword, plus a couple of other fantasy euro types, but never a type XVIa and was wondering if more experienced members would chime in about their preferences with production swords that have this type of blade. I'm not in the market for one right now, but is definitely on my list of swords to get at some point.
LG
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 7, 2014 18:56:18 GMT
I have the Albion Crecy and the Hanwei Hand and a Half.
I personally like both swords and my only complaint would be the grips are slightly shorter than what I would prefer. The pommel on the Hanwei is on the large size. I got the Hanwei first and liked it enough to keep it even after getting the Albion.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 7, 2014 20:15:03 GMT
Thanks Bill... being 5' 8" myself, I don't foresee the Albion Crecy's handle being too small for me. That's actually the one I'm leaning towards getting at some point. Anyway, do you have any special observations when it comes to cutting with either sword? The Hanwei looks nice too, but like you mentioned, seems to have an overly large pommel. Does that bother you at all, or is it just aesthetics?
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Mar 7, 2014 20:20:34 GMT
I have yet to hear anyone say anything but good about the Albion Crecy.
I have an ATrim Makers Mark XVIa - an amazing sword, but of course, discontinued and very rare. Gus Trim really knows how to make a great XVIa. If Evolution Arms comes out with one, jump on it. Otherwise, keep a lookout in the Classifieds.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 7, 2014 20:27:19 GMT
I have not cut with them (cannot where I am living in Germany) but in handling, I can fit both hands on the grips but it is snug. The pommel on the Hanwei is not an issue for me as I do not grip it. If gripping the pommel is how you would use the sword, it might be slightly cumbersome.
The Crecy is of course a better sword but much more expensive than the Hanwei. I personally think the Hanwei is a really decent sword for the price. Think I paid under 200 for it a few years ago.
Very limited selections for that blade type.
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Luka
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Post by Luka on Mar 7, 2014 21:09:04 GMT
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Post by Bryan Heff on Mar 7, 2014 22:05:29 GMT
I always considered the Rhineland a XIIa. I see now that it has some diamond cross section though, so who knows.
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SeanF
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Post by SeanF on Mar 7, 2014 22:15:28 GMT
The Crecy is pretty much standard for most HEMA cutting competitions, so that should tell you about it's ability. The grip is shorter than my preference for swords, but that is about the only flaw I can find with it. At it's price I would consider it my most recommended Albion.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 7, 2014 22:18:46 GMT
I had one as well... maybe the same one if you got yours from Sarge... The Atrim Makers Mark XVIa would be the best sword of the type I've ever used. A Close second would be the Albion Crecy in Boarderwatch configuration. However... another I've been impressed with but not cut with is the Atrim Phat Bastard.
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Post by Arwyn on Mar 7, 2014 22:30:31 GMT
The Phat Bastard is one heck of an authoritative cutter. I have it and the Rheinlander. Pommel on the Rheinlander makes it pretty agile, but its not as hard a hitter as the Atrim. Atrim has a MUCH longer grip, so you have a bit more room for big hands without getting down on the pommel itself.
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Post by Alex.Moranz on Mar 8, 2014 1:54:18 GMT
For me it is the Crecy. I'm sure you guys are probably tired of hearing/reading me talk about it, but I have nothing but good to say about them. BTW I just did a review of mine if you haven't read it already, it's in the review index. I think the only one that I might like as much is the CF Borderwatch which has the same blade, but a fishtail pommel for more grip room. Yet at the same time the Crecy just has all the right looks in my book. If your ever near St. Louis swing on by and I'll let your take her for a test drive .
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 8, 2014 3:10:46 GMT
Thanks for the offer, but the closest I'll be to St. Louis will be this summer when I'm heading up to Louisville, KY to do some grading (reading/scoring essays) for the AP Language and Composition Exam.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 8, 2014 17:09:40 GMT
That was my only problem with the Crecy... not enough room for my hands. with the Scent Stopper pommel on the Boarderwatch I had a tad more room, it was more comfortable. I LOVED that sword.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Mar 8, 2014 20:55:58 GMT
I can't believe the thread has gone this long without a mention of the Brescia Spadona. It's often listed as an XVIIIa, but it can be placed in either classification (type XVIa), has lots of grip room as well as a scent-stopper pommel to increase grippable area, and many people consider it to be the best-performing longsword on the market. Otherwise my vote goes to one of Gus's XVIa's and to the Albion Crecy--I've owned a couple in the Borderwatch configuration and it does offer some more grip room, though I'm one of those people that really likes the compact grip on the standard Crecy.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 8, 2014 21:34:24 GMT
I had mentioned the Hanwei Hand and a Half but it is based on the Albrecht II sword which is an XVIIIa:
XVIIIa. "The Sword of Albrecht II" Oakeshott identified this sword as "an absolutely perfect example of this sub-type". Dated 1400-1440, it is in perfect condition and likely was preserved indoors. The blade, 35" (88.8cm), features two Passau "Running Wolf" markings and a daisy or marigold stamp. The grip is of leather over cord and wood. The pommel is engraved with arms featuring a lion rampant, and scholars have long presumed that the sword was owned by emperor Albrecht II c. 1438-39.
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Post by William Swiger on Mar 8, 2014 21:39:32 GMT
Excellent catch Zack - I keep forgetting the Brescia Spadona could be classified as a Type XVIa.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Mar 8, 2014 21:50:05 GMT
Maybe people forget to mention it because it's Breathtakingly Expensiva. :mrgreen:
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SeanF
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Post by SeanF on Mar 8, 2014 22:22:30 GMT
I think it's a concious mental block that I put up to stop me dying of envy.
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Post by Alex.Moranz on Mar 8, 2014 22:29:19 GMT
You do that as well? I thought I was the only one.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Mar 9, 2014 8:15:46 GMT
Cheers, thanks. Definitely one of those pieces that highlights how Oakeshott's typology is meant to be a descriptive set of classifications, not a prescriptive set of imposed groupings. Several swords switch classification from one of Oakeshott's books to another as new information and new refinement of marking trends in sword shapes came to his attention. Hahaha, I see what you did there. Very true.
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